BABY Hannah Howarth has given big brother Nathan the best birthday present of all - the gift of life.

Test results have revealed seven-year-old Nathan, who suffers from Fanconi's Anaemia, a rare genetic blood disorder, is responding well to an operation, which saw blood cells taken from his baby sister's umbilical cord and injected into his heart.

His ecstatic parents, Mick Howarth and Denise Kelly, have been told the schoolboy's bone marrow is now producing red and white blood cells which means another 10 years could be added to his life.

It is hoped the transplant will give doctors enough time to find a cure for his rare illness.

Last month doctors at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, performed the operation on Nathan after taking the blood cells from Hannah, now aged five months, who was a perfect match.

Experts said without the stem cell transplant Nathan was unlikely to live another year because of his condition, which leaves him susceptible to cancer and exhaustion.

Results

The news comes less than two weeks after his seventh birthday.

Mum Denise, 34, said: "He had the tests on Friday and we've had the results and they showed he is producing his own cells. It is amazing, we have not just gained the life of a new child but gained the life of our other child. We have been told his life will be prolonged by 10 years."

The family celebrated at home in Great Lever, Bolton, with a roast dinner followed by strawberry gateau - Nathan's favourite dessert.

Denise said: "It was a double celebration because he also came out of hospital. He has understood everything that has gone on at his own level."

After a lengthy stay in hospital isolation, which meant his family had to wear protective clothing when visiting, Nathan will now have to stay indoors for five months to reduce the risk of infection.